Are We in EST or ET?
- ET (Eastern Time): General, season-neutral label. Always correct.
- EST (Eastern Standard Time): Specifically winter (UTC-5).
- EDT (Eastern Daylight Time): Specifically summer (UTC-4).
When to Use Each
- "The show airs at 8 PM ET" — correct year-round
- "Deadline is January 15 at 5 PM EST" — correct for winter
- "Webinar is July 10 at 2 PM EDT" — correct for summer
Right Now
As of April 2026, we're technically in EDT — not EST. But "ET" is always safe.
Quick Answer
ET is always correct. EST is only technically correct in winter (November-March).
